2 August 1914

3 August 1914

Germany declares war on France.
Great Britain mobilises its troops.

4 August 1914

Germany invades Belgium to outflank the French army.
The United States declares neutrality.Great Britain gives Austria-Hungary ultimatum to stand down from hostilities. When Austria-Hungary doesn’t comply a state of war is declared at 11.00pm

7 August 1914

11 August 1914

‘Your King and Country Need You‘ slogan is published, calling for the first 100,000 men to enlist for Kitchener’s New Army. Within two weeks, 100,000 have signed up.
France declares war on Austria-Hungary.

6 September 1914

26 September 1914

On 26 September, soon after the outbreak of war, the first 28,500 Indian Army troops arrived on the Western Front to fill the gap left by the near decimation of the British Expeditionary Force. They played a vital role and are said to have arrived just ‘in the nick of time’.